At the aquatics centre, the problem did not appear to be the thirst for swimming, which was evident among the ticket-paying public which packed the stands.

They were rewarded with a titanic 400m individual medley clash between the USA's Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps, and a thumping world record swim by China's Ye Shewin in the women's event.

The London Olympic Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) say the empty seats are accredited tickets, indicating it may be sponsors and their guests not turning up.

Libby Trickett, who watched her teammates win gold in the 4x100m relay says she hopes the issue is resolved.

"I hope that they can pack that venue because it is a brilliant venue and it deserves to be filled to capacity not only for Australians but for everyone competing because this is the highest level of our sport," she said.

Australia's Chef de Mission Nick Green says it is an issue for LOCOG to sort out.

"Of course the women here (on the relay team) had an allocation but it’s a problem that LOCOG will have to address," he said.

"We would have loved to have had more Aussies in there to have witnessed what these girls did last night."